Abstract: As a state-run ethnic pictorial launched by the state after the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, Nationality Pictorial has been adhering to the philosophy of “capturing ethnic memories and illustrating a vibrant multi-ethnic China.” Through vivid images and texts, it has constructed an iconic genealogy of the formation and development history of the community for the Chinese nation, serving as a concrete practice of using visual imagery to shape the picture of the Chinese nation and foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. It has undergone several stages, including its founding, suspension and resumption of publication, publishing house establishment, and prosperity. Throughout these stages, it has consistently focused on national ethnic policies, geographical landscapes, ethnic figures, diverse cultures, everyday life scenes and other themes. In a format combining images and text, it has vividly portrayed the unity, interaction, integration as well as shared struggles, development and prosperity of all ethnic groups in China since 1949. The pictorial presents an image-based narrative and spatial representation of the Chinese national community from four dimensions: depicting the vast territory to present living space, generating political symbols to express political space, illustrating diverse cultures to characterize cultural space, and shaping an integrated image to externalize spiritual space. Keeping pace with the evolving times, Nationality Pictorial has leveraged digital media to create a visual communication format that integrates tradition and modernity, making new explorations in this regard. Its efforts in mining image symbols, innovating image forms and enriching image practices will offer important insights for developing and utilizing image resources in strengthening the sense of community for the Chinese nation in the new era.

Key words: community for the Chinese nation, Nationality Pictorial, visual narrative, visual culture, spatial narrative